International Services in New Zealand and Centrelink International Services in Australia
The New Zealand and Australian governments have a Social Security Agreement that allows payment of certain New Zealand benefits and pensions to residents of Australia and payment of certain Australian benefits pensions to residents of New Zealand.
Responsibility for administering this Agreement rests with International Services in New Zealand and Centrelink International Services in Australia. We do this on behalf of our respective government departments; the Ministry of Social Development in New Zealand and the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs in Australia.
Local offices of Centrelink in Australia and Work and Income in New Zealand are also available to provide support and advice.
Generally, we offer similar services to our clients by:
- assessing and paying benefits and pensions both at home and abroad
- administering a number of social security agreements with different countries
- advising and assisting clients to claim for any benefit or pension that they may be able to receive from overseas
- acting as a point of contact for clients to advise changes in circumstances and provide verification of documents.
- sharing information with the agreement partners relating to benefits and pensions covered by agreements for a more efficient service.
Each organisation decides who will receive their country’s social security benefits and pensions and how much they will be paid.
If you receive a benefit or pension from New Zealand and/or Australia, you will need to keep both Centrelink International Services and International Services in New Zealand informed of any changes in circumstances that may affect your eligibility and payments, eg changing your address or marital status.
Who should I contact?
If you would like to discuss your New Zealand benefit or pension (New Zealand Superannuation, Veteran’s Pension or Invalid’s Benefit) please contact:
If you are deaf, hearing impaired or find it hard to communicate by phone you can send a message to our Deaf Link free-fax 0800 621 621.
A translator is also available to you when you contact us on 0800 777 227.
If you would like to discuss your Australian benefit or pension (Australian Age Pension, Disability Support Pension or Carer Payment) please contact:
